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Hanukkah: A Counting Book in English, Hebrew,
and Yiddish
Publishers Weekly
Noteworthy graphics and clever use of design elements jazz
up a small paper-over-board book that counts up from one through the
eight nights of the holiday. Newcomer Sper introduces familiar and less
obvious aspects of Hanukkah (e.g., three stands for the elephants, which,
as an endnote explains, were used by the attacking Syrian-Greeks). Die-cuts
show the correct number of candles; on each spread, made all the more
pleasing by strong, clear color combinations and color-coded fonts.
Each page includes Hebrew and Yiddish words, transliterations and pronunciations.
Ages 3-6.
Association of Jewish Librarians Newsletter
One of the most original Hanukkah books to come along in a while, this
is very well conceived and designed. The format is important: intensely
bright colors upon black backgrounds, die-cuts in the shape of candles,
Hanukkah symbols that correspond in number to the number of candles
on each page, color coding to indicate the gender of the Hebrew words,
the gutteral sound, the stressed syllables, and the language of the
word. The spelling of numbers one to eight plus phrases that indicate
the Haunkkah symbol, such as "three elephants," are given
in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish with transliteration. Following the
counting pages is a brief story of Hanukkah, emphasizing the symbols
that have been used throughout the book. This is all splendidly packaged
and will appeal to a wide age range: four year olds who are practicing
counting, third graders beginning to learn Hebrew, even fourth and fifth
graders with a modicum of exposure to Yiddish culture and language.
Highly recommended! —Linda R. Silver,
Jewish Education Center, Cleveland, OH
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